More 12/18 Expressions

It has taken me over 1 year to earn $200 in rewards on my Chase Freedom card. I was shooting for the $50 bonus. I thought for sure by the time I qualified - it would be over - but it isn't. I called and it was quick and easy. I will be receiving my $250 check shortly. My daughter and I put together some gift bags quickly. I had enough Bath and Body Works, gift cards, etc. to put together some nice gifts. I have been thinking of letting my gift closet clear out as great bargains seemed few and far between - but I may re-think that one.

12/18 Expressions

Mail was great today! The 1/2 priced gift certificates to local restaurants arrived today. The gift certificate I ordered from mypoints came with the bonus $15 FTD gift card. I baked some cookies and some are in the freezer for later. To grease the cookie sheets - I used the margarine wrapper - didn't save me a bundle - but, it was frugal :)

12/17 Expressions

A friend just told me that the Census Bureau will be hiring temporary workers to take the Census in 2010 starting February 2009. Here is the link: http://www.census.gov/2010censusjobs/ Doesn't look too shabby for a part-time job. Last night my daughter and I finished up our cinnamon/apple sauce ornaments. I had some red puff paint to add a few details and tied "raffia" from the Dollar Tree (looked more like hay) to each ornament. Now the empty spots on our tree are empty-no-more. Very cheap project if you buy the ingredients from the Dollar Tree (well, the apple sauce came from Aldi) and have left-over craft items you need to use up.

12/16 Expressions

I am happy about the rate cut today. Our HELOC should drop to a high 2% - we will definitely have the condo paid off by October of '09. We finally got the last two property tax bills - different county - they were way behind. We protested both last year and were able to get reductions. This year, one went down a bit more and the other jumped 73%. Ridiculous! So, we will be firing off another protest letter this year. This year, assessments have been all over the place. We've had some stay the same, some go up, and one go down.

12/13 Expressions

This morning, I went to Walgreens and purchased 4 bottles of Arm & Hammer liquid laundry detergent for just over $6 with the in-store coupon which dropped the price from $6.99 each to $1.99 and I also had 2 internet printed coupons from www.armandhammer.com. After coupons, I owed just over $6 with tax. A $5 register reward kicked out and I purchased baking supplies - out of pocket = $0. Also stopped at Bath and Body Works with two coupons. One for an item of my choice up to $13 with any purchase - got the smalled giftbag on sale and a Vanilla Body Splash for .55 - the cashier was impressed. My second coupon was for a free home fragrance item up to $12.50 with a $10 purchase. So, I got a jar candle - originally $17 for $10 and wallflower re-fills for free - out of pocket - $10 plus tax.

More 12/12 Expressions

Restaurant.com sent my husband a link to send out up to 3 free $10 Gift Certificates per day yesterday. The link is www.Restaurant.com/FeedItForward I believe the e-mail said up to $2.5M to be given away. Anyway, we will be going out of town tomorrow to watch a tournament. Several Gift Certificates for that city. So, I had DH send one to me - and it was very easy to order.

12/12 Expressions

We do like to eat out on occasion. I was able to score 6 1/2 priced gift certificates from various local tv stations website. I may use some for gifts - but, it gives us a variety to choose from.